Can African Lungfish and White Cloud Mountain Minnow Live Together?

🔴Not Recommended

African Lungfish and White Cloud Mountain Minnow are not recommended as tank mates due to no temperature overlap and piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates.. Housing these species together is likely to result in stress, health problems, or direct harm to one or both fish.


At a Glance

African Lungfish

Protopterus annectens

White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Tanichthys albonubes

🐠Family Group
African Lungfish
Oddballs
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Cyprinids
Temperament
African Lungfish
Highly Aggressive (10/10)
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Peaceful (1/10)
Temperature
✗ No overlap
African Lungfish
24–30°C
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
14–22°C
pH Range
✓ Compatible
African Lungfish
6–8
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
6–8
Hardness (dGH)
✓ Compatible
African Lungfish
5–20
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
5–20
Water Type
✓ Compatible
African Lungfish
Freshwater Only
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
✓ Compatible
African Lungfish
Low
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Moderate
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 816 L
African Lungfish
680 L
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
38 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 2 zones
African Lungfish
BottomMiddleTop
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
TopMiddle
🏷️Behavior Tags
African Lungfish
Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish)Generally AggressiveAggressive to same species/look-alikesJumper (Lid Required)Digger (Disturbs Substrate)Plant DestroyerTerritorial (Defends specific area)
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk)Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerJumper (Lid Required)

Behaviour & Temperament

African Lungfish is a highly aggressive species (10/10), while White Cloud Mountain Minnow is peaceful (1/10). This notable difference means African Lungfish may occasionally assert dominance over White Cloud Mountain Minnow.

Large aggression gap (9 points) between African Lungfish and White Cloud Mountain Minnow increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

African Lungfish and White Cloud Mountain Minnow both frequent the Middle (Open Water) and Top (Surface) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

There is a critical concern: the Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish) behaviour of one fish directly conflicts with the Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk) trait of the other — piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates..

Worth noting: African Lungfish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

Water Parameters

There is no temperature overlap between African Lungfish (24–30°C) and White Cloud Mountain Minnow (14–22°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6 and 8. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–20 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range. An aquarium test kit is recommended for monitoring.

Tank Setup

To house African Lungfish and White Cloud Mountain Minnow together, plan for an aquarium of at least 816 litres with a minimum length of 180 cm. This accounts for the larger species' space requirements with an additional 20 % buffer to reduce territorial tension.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Plants - Densely covered. Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Note a potential conflict in setup requirements: African Lungfish is a plant destroyer, which conflicts with White Cloud Mountain Minnow's requirement for live plants. Compromise where possible or prioritise the more critical need.

Both species do well with low (still water) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Find the right tank equipment

Browse tanks, décor, and equipment suited for this setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can African Lungfish and White Cloud Mountain Minnow live together?

No. This combination is not recommended. Key incompatibilities — such as non-overlapping temperature ranges — make cohabitation unsafe.

What size tank do African Lungfish and White Cloud Mountain Minnow need?

A minimum of 816 litres (tank length at least 180 cm) is recommended. This provides enough space for both species to establish their own areas and reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes.

What water temperature is best for African Lungfish and White Cloud Mountain Minnow together?

Unfortunately, there is no temperature range that satisfies both species. African Lungfish requires 24–30°C, while White Cloud Mountain Minnow needs 14–22°C.

Are African Lungfish or White Cloud Mountain Minnow aggressive?

African Lungfish is highly aggressive (10/10) and White Cloud Mountain Minnow is peaceful (1/10). The gap in aggression levels means the calmer fish may experience stress from the more assertive one.

What pH do African Lungfish and White Cloud Mountain Minnow need?

Both species overlap in the 6–8 pH range. Consistency is key — avoid sudden swings, and test regularly to stay within this window.

How do I manage African Lungfish's territorial behaviour?

Provide line-of-sight breaks using rocks, driftwood, and dense planting. A larger tank gives African Lungfish space to claim a territory without encroaching on the other fish's area. Adding décor that divides the tank into distinct zones works especially well.


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